Will County Stay in Phase-3? Governor to Make Announcement
Yakima County officials are optimistic about Yakima staying in Phase-3 of the state s reopening plan this week. Governor Jay Inslee is expected to make an announcement on Tuesday on whether or not some counties in the state will have to move back to more restrictive measures because of rising COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. There s already news out that King County, the largest county in the state will likely be moved back to Phase-2 of the state s reopening plan. If the county is moved back to Phase-2 capacity at gyms, restaurants and retail outlets will go from the current 50% capacity to 25% capacity.
Man Dies in Fatal Stabbing Suspect in Jail
Yakima Police are investigating a fatal stabbing of a 42-year-old man reported on Saturday. Officers were called to the 1100 block of South 32nd Avenue at about 12:08 a.m. for a report of a fight between two men. Capt. Jay Seely says when officers arrived at the duplex they had to force their way inside. Once inside they found the stabbing victim identified as 42-year-old Gasper Villacana. He died at the scene from stab wounds. Police immediately began a search for the suspect. Seely says at about that time a neighbor alerted police that a man was in her backyard in a nearby home. Police found the 44-year-old suspect in a backyard of the home and placed him under arrest. The man was taken to Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital for treatment of cuts but reportedly started fighting with hospital staff so police say he was sedated. The man was expected to be booked into the Yakima County jail on a charge of second-degree murder.
Selah and Toppenish Levies Successful on Tuesday
Tuesday was election day in the Toppenish and Selah School Districts and voters gave a thumbs up to two measures on the ballot. Officials in Selah are especially happy because the Selah levy failed in February elections. The Selah and Toppenish levies needed only a simple majority to pass. In Selah the levy is passing with 53.7%. In Toppenish 58% of voters are supporting the levy. The Yakima County Auditors Office will continue to count ballots every afternoon until the election is certified and all the counting is finished on May 7. The measures supported by voters replace levies that expire at the end of the year. In Selah the levy funds a variety of things like a school nurse and all sports in the district as well as safety and technology services and help for teachers. The Toppenish levy pays for improvements in preschool, safety and technology and robotic programs. The levy also helps to fund field trips and simple maintenance in
Yakima Prosecutor Talks Possible Problems Of Police Reform
Yakima County Prosecutor Joe Brusic says we are living in complicated times when it comes to the law, the courts, police, police reform and maintaining public safety.
Brusic has a lot of respect for the police who he says have the most difficult job in the country. Under new legislation police are now operating in an environment where society seems to want to move from a philosophical position of being tough on crime to being tough on crime fighters.
In casual social settings people will often speculate on What is Your Super Power . That may be cute on a date but on the streets, police to need to have real super powers such as the ability to make the right call in a split second and execute the proper course of action to protect people, property and perpetrators while under the extreme stress of a life or death situation. Super Powers indeed.